Endocrine disorders: Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency

Question 1

Patients presenting with severe sepsis, septic shock, and other types of critical illness, are commonly affected with corticosteroid insufficiency due to -?

Answer 1

While currently unknown, it is associated with a combination of altered HP axis, hormonal, enzymatic, and receptor function

Question 2

What common clinical abnormality is associated with critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency?

Answer 2

Vasopressor-resistant hypotension

Question 3

What diagnostic test can be used to diagnose critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency?

Answer 3

ACTH stimulation test

Question 4

Treatment of patients with critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency include the administration of -?

Answer 4

Corticosteroid supplementation (hydrocortisone), vasopressors, and fluid therapy